Wedgwood Tri-Colour Jasperware

To celebrate the wedding of HRH Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer this engine-turned diced plate was issued in white, lilac and sage green.

The centre of the plate features HRH Prince Charles.

Surrounding the portrait is a skilfully incised diced pattern - the unique decorative effect is achieved by an engine-turning lathe built for Josiah Wedgwood by the famous eighteenth century engineer Matthew Boulton in 1763. Josiah named it the 'Wedgwood fluting lathe' and it has continued to be used in the production of Jasper and Black Basalt up to the present day. The lathe is operated manually by a highly experienced turner and assistant.

The white jasper plate is turned by a skilled craftsman to create its profile, and the front surface is then coated with green Jasper 'slip'. When this is dried, the plate is put onto the engine lathe which cuts exactly the diced effect through the green, revealing the white underneath. The green from the raised circles on the plate is removed by hand-tooling and the bas-reliefs are applied by hand. The finishing touches are provided by hand-applied lilac Jasper quarterfoils. Tri-colour Jasper was one of Josiah Wedgwood's later developments, introduced in the early 1780s and enhancing his reputation for the production of outstanding ornamental wares.

The plate is impressed on the back 'Wedgwood Made in England' and in gold writing the wording reads 'In celebration of the wedding of H.R.H The Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer St Pauls Cathedral 29th July 1981. No 205 in a limited edition of 250 Wedgwood made in England.

The plate (diameter 22cm/8.75 inches) is issued in a limited edition of 250 with gold inscription and backstamp. It is gift- boxed and supplied with a numbered, signed certificate and illustrated, descriptive booklet as shown.

The plate has been previously owned and is in very good condition however the presentation box is a little tatty.